Redknapp has gone, Ferdinand is in charge. It won't make any difference on Saturday!

Andy Bell

Posted 4 February

QPR are managerless and pointless from their last three Premier League matches. Their fortunes won't be improving when high-flying Southampton come to Loftus Road.

To be honest, QPR weren’t really expected to be amongst the big boys this season following their promotion from the Championship. Nevertheless they were expected to fare a little better than they have managed so far and they now look set for a swift return back to whence they came.

Ok so only one point separates the west London outfit from Burnley, however we must look at recent results and there is nothing to remotely suggest that things will be getting any better any time soon.

Things were starting to look marginally better following the festive period. Two successive draws against Crystal Palace and Swansea hinted at slightly better things ahead, however it proved not to be the case and a subsequent FA Cup third round defeat to League One outfit Sheffield United was followed by Premier League defeats to Burnley, Manchester United and Stoke City.

Hardly a surprise then that the hosts start this match as firm outsiders at 19/5. Rangers can’t be backed with any confidence whatsoever and we’ll be steering well away from any turnaround in fortunes for the home side on this occasion.

Nevertheless, it is easy to overlook the fact that Southampton have also suffered a dip in form of late. A 1-0 defeat at home to Swansea City at the weekend was preceded by another home defeat to Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

As such, the Saints will be desperate to return to winning ways once again and we can’t really see past an away win on Saturday afternoon.

Looking at goalscorers, we can’t ignore Graziano Pelle. The Italian international has scored twelve times in all competitions this season, his most recent strike opening the scoring in the 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace two weeks ago and odds of 31/20 he represents decent value to add to his goal-tally in this match.